AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan was granted bail by Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday, in connection with a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This complaint pertained to his alleged non-compliance with summons linked to the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM), Divya Malhotra acknowledged Khan’s presence, and held, “Offence u/s 174 IPC being bailable, accused is admitted to bail upon the furnishing of personal bond in the sum of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety of the like amount”. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) lodged a complaint against Khan for his failure to appear before the agency and lack of cooperation in the investigation concerning alleged irregularities in the appointment process and leasing of properties within the Delhi Waqf Board. This complaint was filed under section 174 of the IPC, 1860, along with section 63(4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, for non-compliance with Section 50 of the same act.

Special Public Prosecutor Simon Benjamin, representing the Enforcement Directorate, claimed that Khan had shifted from being a witness to an accused individual by applying for anticipatory bail and avoiding the investigation process. The prosecutor highlighted that Khan's lack of cooperation had hindered the probe from reaching a resolution.

Additionally, SPP Benjamin pointed out that Khan's level of involvement seemed more substantial compared to other accused individuals who had already faced arrest and charges. Previously, on March 1, the Rouse Avenue court had dismissed Khan's anticipatory bail application.

The case centers on the alleged acquisition of a property valued at ₹36 crore in the Okhla area, purportedly instigated by Khan. Khan, who also holds the position of MLA for the area, faces accusations of unlawfully leasing Waqf properties worth ₹100 crore and irregularly appointing 32 contractual employees during his tenure as the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, contrary to regulations.

Khan's request for anticipatory bail was previously rejected by the Supreme Court in connection with a money laundering case related to suspected irregularities in the recruitment process of the Delhi Waqf Board.

Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v Amanatullah Khan (Complaint Case No. 08/2024)